Folding and knockdown table.



E. & W. METCALF.

Patented Deu-8. 1.914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Suva/Mon E. & W. METCALF.

FOLDING AND KNOCKDOWN TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I5. 1912.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

-ll|l Illlll /wfmzf @Z f7 7 am @1mi/imno ELI METCALF AND WILLIAM METCALF, OF EMPIRE, OREGON.

FOLDING AND KNocKDowN TABLE.

Application filed April 15, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ELI METCALF and WILLIAM METCALF, citizens of the United States, residin at Empire, in the county of Coos, State of regon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding and Knockdown Tables; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tables and more especially to folding and knockdown tables'.

The primary object of this invention is to construct a table having a novel form of main frame or platform which is capable of being readily folded. to occupy a minimum amount of space and in which the coacting parts thereof are provided with recesses for readily and removably securing the legs of the table in position.

Another object of the invention is to construct a foldable frame comprising hinged sections having coacting corner recesses of dove-tailed form,'the said hinged sections permitting the legs to be more readily secured to the frame, said legs being provided lwith means for preventing displacement 30' thereof and a top for the table slidably enga ged with the frame so as to hold the latter in a rigid position for use.

With the aboveandpther objects in view, the invention consists @of certain other combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an inverted perspective view of the table set up, as when in use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof in a. standing position. Fig. 3 is' a cross sectional view of the table in the same position. Fig. 4 is a plan View of the table with the top removed. Fig. 5 is a plan View of one side of the top of the table in an open position and inverted. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the frame of the table folded. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the legs of the table. Fig. 8 is a plan view of one corner of the frame with the leg removed.

As shown, our improved table comprises a top 10, the same comprising opposite side portions formed each of an outer section or extensible leaf 11 and an inner section of leaf 12 to which the outer section is hinged Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Deo. 8, 1914.

Serial No. 690,795.

upon' its bottom surface as shown at 13 so that the outer sections 1l can swing downwardly or be held in a horizontal and eX- tended position as will be later described. Each inner section 12 is also provided with a pair of transverse dovetailed grooves 14 communicating with their inner edges and terminating at a point removed from their outer edges and preferably in alinement with the hinges as shown.

The frame or platform of the table is indicated generally by the numeral 15 and comprises specifically, a pair of side sections 16 and end sections 17, the latter oomprising pairs of sections 18 which are hinged together upon their outer faces as shown at 19 `to fold inwardly while the ends of the sections 17 are hinged to the inner faces of the-side sections 16 as shown at 20, so as to permit the portions 18 of the sections 17 to fold inwardly against the inner faces of the side sections 16 when the frame is in `a folded position. The inner corners of the free ends of the portions 18 are beveled as shown at 21 and the adjacent inner faces of the side sections 16 are grooved out as shown at 22 to accommodate the hinged joints of the hinges 20 so that the portions 18 will fold flush or in contact with the inner faces of the side sections and with each other in the position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. From an inspection of the drawings, it will be further observed that the end sections 17 are connected tothe side sections 16 removed from the ends of the former and the adjacent inner faces of said sections 16 are provided with vertical dove-tailed grooves 23 having beveled outer walls 24 near the extremities of said sections and right angular inner walls 25 coacting with adjacent vertical dove-tailed grooves 26 in the outer faces of the portions 18 forming the end'sections 17 and communicating with the ends of said portions. The inner walls of the grooves 26 are beveled as shown at 27 and when the parts are extended, substantially triangular guideways are provided each for receiving an enlarged and rectangular upper end` 28 of a leO 29.

The legs 29 are provided at their rectangular portions 28 with diagonally arranged triangular grooves 30 provided with bottom end walls 31 adapted to engage the bottom edges of the side and end sections, while the opposite sides of the portions 28 of the legs are formed with shoulders 32 to engage with the bottom edges of the said sections between the beveled end walls of the triangular guideways produced by the dove-tailed recesses in said sections and thus the frame is supported upon the legs while the upper ends of the latter are flush with the top edges of the frame sections. In order to retain the legs from displacement the inner faces thereof are provided each with a notch 33 communicating with the adjacent triangular groove and the adjacent outer faces of the portions 17 are recessed longitudinally as shown at 34 for receiving spring catches 35 secured at their inner ends within the recesses as shown at 36, the springs being offset outwardly and having beveled free ends to engage in the notches 33. This is permitted by engaging one of the legs in the recess of a side section and then pivoting an end section toward the same for disposing the parts in extended positions.

In order to secure the end sections in extended positions hooks 37 are pivoted to the inner faces of diagonally opposite end portions 17 and eyes 38 are secured to the other portions, both adjacent the inner ends thereof whereby the hooks may be engaged with the eyes and hold the joints rigid. The inner faces of the opposite side sections are also recessed as shown at 39 for .receiving the eyes 38 vhen the parts are folded.

In order to secure the to of the table on the frame, the top edges of) the portions 17 are provided with dove-tailed extensions 40 which terminate at spaced distances from` the outer ends thereof whereby when the top sections are engaged on the frame and the grooves 14 are engaged with said extensions, the end walls of the grooves will eon tact with the outer ends of the extensions tov limit the movement of the table sections so that the inner edges thereof will aline with the contacting edges of the portions 17 and may be secured together by means of hooks and eyes 41 and 12 respectively carried by the bottom faces of the inner sections 12 of the table top and depending therefrom and by this means hold the sections 17 rigid. The upper and central portionsof the side sections 16 are centrally notched or cut out as shown at 43 for receiving pivoted braces 41 which have their ends beveled in opposite directions to engage similarly beveled end walls of the cut out portions 43 as shown at 45, the said braces being adapted to be swung on their pivots 46 and moved out of the cut out portions and at right angles to the side sections for holding the hinged leaves 11 in extended position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingy drawings, it will be apparent that we have provided a very simple and durable folding and knockdown table which will be very strong and durable when set up for use b,ut which can be readilytaken apart and compactly stored or transported without injury. The

convenient manner in which the parts are secured together for being set up for use and more particularly the formation of the frame and legs and manner of securing the latter in position also greatly enhances the utility of the device.

We claim:

A table of the class 'described comprising a frame formed ofside sections and end sections hinged together, the outer faces of the end sections being formed with grooves and the adjacent faces of the side sections having similar grooves forming substarr tially triangular guide Ways and said grooves further forming shoulders on the side and end sections respectively, a top for the frame, and legs provided with grooves fo receiving said shoulders. g

In testimony whereof, we affix our signet` tures in presence of two witnesses.

ELI METCALF. WILLIAM METCALF. Witnesses:

C.G.HAoKE'1'r, l N. W. PAINTER. 

